Apparatus for retaining drapes



1964 w. VANDENBERG ETAL 3,155,583

APPARATUS FOR RETAINING DRAPES Filed July 20, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4

INVENTORS WILBERT VANDENBERG WILLIAM M. WOHLWEND ATTORNEYS Nov. 10, 1964 w. VANDENBERG ETAL 3,156,533

APPARATUS FOR RETAINING DRAPES Filed July 20, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS wu. BERT VANDENBERG WILLIAM M. WOHLWEND 6 01M Maxi ATTORNEYS United States Patent Calif.

Filed July 20, 1962, Ser. No. 211,346 Claims. (Cl. 118-501) The present invention relates to an apparatus for retaining drapes, or the like, in position at the time that the sizing material is added to the same.

The apparatus of the present invention includes a main frame which may be provided with casters, if desirable, and includes two uprights which are spaced from one another. A second frame, including two uprights, are guided by the uprights of the main frame. The second frame is adapted to be raised and lowered with respect to the main frame. The second frame also includes a tie member which is connected to the upper portion of the uprights of the second mentioned frame. This tie member is provided with a plurality of fasteners which are arranged to be fastened to the pleats of the drapes. The apparatus also includes a third frame which is interposed between the uprights of the main frame. This third frame carries a series, and preferably two series of pleating tines. These tines are adapted to be oscillated toward and away from the drapes so as to be movable and withdrawn from the pleats of the drape. Mechanism is provided on the main frame for raising and lowering the third mentioned frame and the tines carried thereon.

In another aspect of the invention, the uprights of the main and second mentioned frames are in telescopic relationship. A cable is attached to the second mentioned frame and this cable cooperates with a Winch on the first mentioned frame, and this winch is used to raise and lower the second mentioned frame through the cable. Certain of these uprights are provided with longitudinally extending grooves for receiving the cable.

Further features and the advantages will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, viewing the apparatus from the right side and front thereof.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the apparatus looking in the direction toward the left side thereof.

FIG. 3 is a view partly in section, looking in the direction of arrows 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of the winch, which is disposed on the right side of the apparatus, the view being taken looking from the left to the right.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the left upright looking from the right to the left, and showing the latch for retaining the tine-carrying frame in adjusted position.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view looking in the direction substantially along the arrows 6-6 of FIG. 1 and substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the cable elevating mechanism, and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 88 of FIG. 1.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, the apparatus is shown generally by the numeral 20, which comprises a main frame 22 for supporting a second frame 24 in vertically adjusted relative position with the main frame, and a third frame 26 which carries two series of tines 28 and 30. The second frame 24 is arranged to carry a plurality of clasps 32, each of which is adapted 3,156,583 Patented Nov. 10, 1964 to be fastened to the fold of a pleat of a drape. The tines 28 and 30 are adapted to be swung toward one another for extension between the folds of the drape.

Specifically, the main frame 22 includes a base 34. This base includes two forwardly and rearwardly extending pipes 36 and 38, each carrying an upwardly extending bracket 40 at the front, and a similar bracket 42 at the rear. The brackets 40 are connected with one another by rods 44, and the brackets 42 are connected with one another by rods 46, and these rods support a flexible trough 48 and assist in stabilizing the main frame 22.

The main frame 22 also includes a pair of uprights 50 and '52 in the form of pipes. The lower end of these pipes are suitably welded, for example, to the pipes 36 and 38 respectively. The upper end of the pipe 52 carries a bracket 54 which extends forwardly. This bracket is U-shaped and carries the spool 56 of a winch 58. This spool is rotatably carried on a shaft 60. The spool is provided with teeth 62 which mesh with the teeth 64 of a pinion 66. This pinion is rotatably carried by a shaft 68. These shafts 60 and 68 are carried by the bracket 54. The shaft 68 and pinion 66 are actuated by a crank 70. The spool 56 of the winch 58 is adapted to receive a cable 72, one end of which is fastened to the spool, and the cable is used, through the winch, to raise and lower the second mentioned frame 24.

The second mentioned frame 24 includes two uprights 74 and 76 which are in telescopic relationship respectively with the upright pipes 50 and 52. The bottom of the left side of the main frame carries a pulley 78, and a similar pulley 80, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 7, is carried at the lower end of the right side of the frame. A pulley 82 is carried adjacent the top of the left upright pipe 50. The cable 72 is strung downwardly through a groove 84 in the upright 76, and it is secured as at 86 to the lower end of the upright 76. The cable is also threaded progressively over the pulleys 80, 78 and 82 and is then extended through a groove 88 in the upright 74, and it is suitably fastened to the lower end of upright 74 as at $0. It will thus be seen that by turning a crank '70 in one direction, namely, to wind the cable on the spool 56, the uprights 74 and '76 are moved upwardly simultaneously, and, conversely, when the cable is unwound the uprights 74 and 76 are lowered. A suitable latch 92, carried by a pin 94, is used to hold the pinion, and consequently the spood S6 in adjusted position.

The second frame 24- is provided at the top with a tie member 96 which spans and is fastened to the upper ends of uprights 74 and 76. This uprights also carry brackets 98 and 100, which in turn carry rods 102, 104 and 106. Each of the clasps 32 is carried by a chain 108, which chain is slidably carried by the rod 106. The rods 102 and 104 are merely for the purpose of holding the clasps 32 in position when they are not in use. The heads of the clasps 32 are received between the rods 102 and 104 and are caught between these rods when angularly disposed by the force of gravity. In operation, each of the clasps is used for fastening the upper end of the fold of a drape.

In operation, the series of tines are spaced from one another; the lower end of the drape is dropped through the space between the tines, and rests upon the trough 48. The upper end of the folds of the drape are then fastened in position through the clasps 32. Then the winch is turned to raise the drape sufficiently so that the lower end thereof clears the trough 48. The winch is then locked in position by the latch 92. A handle 112 is carried by the upper end of the main frame for steadying the apparatus while the winch is being operated. This is desirable since the main frame is preferably provided with four casters 114.

After the drape is raised to the desired position, the third frame is then raised to the desired position and the series of tines 28 and are swung toward one another, the tines 28 moving rearwardly between the folds of the drape, and the tines 36 are moved forwardly between the folds of the drape. Only one of tines of the series enters between a fold.

The third frame 26 includes a left sleeve 116 and a similar right sleeve (not shown). These left and right sleeves extend vertically and surround the upright pipes and 52, respectively, of the main frame 22, and thus are guided vertically by the main frame. Each of these sleeves 116 carries a bracket 11% which extends forwardly and rearwardly of the sleeve. These brackets rotatably support a horizontally extending front shaft 120 and a parallelly arranged rear shaft 122. The tines 28 are fixed to the shaft 120, and the tines 30 are fixed to the shaft 122. A lever arm 124 is fixed to the shaft 120 and is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 126. A lever arm 128 is fixed to the shaft 122 and is provided with a slot 130. It will be observed from FIG. 2 that the lever arm 124 extends upwardly rearwardly, and the lever arm 128 extends upwardly forwardly. The slots 126 and are in overlapping relationship for receiving a bolt. This bolt 132 receives a wing nut 134. By tightening the wing nut 134 to the bolt 132, the lever arms 124 and 128 may be held in adjusted position. The lever arm 124 is provided with a handle 136 which when raised, causes the shaft 129 to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction to move the series of tines 28 rearwardly, and when lowered, causes the tines 28 to be moved forwardly. This movement, of course, can take effect only when the levers 124 and 128 are free to move. The movement of the handle 136 upwardly causes the bolt 132 to be moved downwardly, the head of the bolt 133 being guided vertically by a guide 140. The downward movement of the bolt 132 causes the lever arm 28 and the tines 3%) to be moved in a clockwise direction, i.e. the tines 30 are moved forwardly. After the tines have been moved toward one another, they are locked in this position by the wing nut 154. Obviously, when the lever 136 is moved downwardly, the tines 28 and 30 are moved away from one another.

As is more clearly shown in FIG. 3, the left sleeve 116 is fastened to an endless chain 142 through bracket 118 and a second bracket 144, which is fastened to the first mentioned bracket in any suitable manner, as by a bolt 146. This chain 142 is laced over an upper sprocket 148 and a lower sprocket 150 (see FIG. 8). A bracket 152 is suitably fixed to adjacent the upper end of the upright 59, and is provided with a horizontally extending bore, arranged parallelly of the shafts 120 and 122, and carries a stub shaft 154. This stub shaft 154- carries the upper sprocket 148. This shaft also carries radially extending wings 156. A bracket similar to 152 is carried at the lower end of the main frame 22, which in turn carries a rotatable shaft 158 to which the sprocket 150 is attached. A handle 160 is fastened to the shaft 154- for manipulating the sprocket 148, to raise and lower the sleeve 116 of the third frame 26. Sprockets similar to 148 and 150 are suitably carried by the right side of the main frame, and in the same vertical position as sprockets 148 and 150. The shaft 154 extends underneath the trough 48 and is fixed to a sprocket on the right side of the frame, similar to sprocket 150. Thus, by turning the handle 160, the third frame 26 can be raised and lowered to the desired position. This third frame is latched in the desired position through a wing 156 which cooperates with a swinging detent 162 which is pivotally mounted on the bracket 152 by a pin 164. This detent 162 can be swung into and out of latching relationship with any of the wings 15% on the shaft 154.

While a single drape has been referred to herein, it is to be understood that a number of drapes can be positioned simultaneously for sizing. The sizing material is A Lt.

conveyed to the nozzle 166 through a hose 168. The main frame carries an upright 1'70 in the form of a tube for receiving a rod 172. The upper end of this rod 172 is fastened to the hose 168. This hose can be raised to a position in which the entire hose depends therefrom, whereby the entire hose can be drained of any condensate. e rod can be locked in adjusted position by a screw The upright 17' is braced by a transverse rod 1'7 which is fastened to the upright 52.

Other suitable rods 173 may be provided with extensions 18% for supporting hangers, or the like.

It will be understood from the foregoing that after the drape has been raised to the desired height, and held in pleated folds by the clasps 32, the tines 28 and 30 are swung into position to hold the folds in horizontal spaced relationship, the third frame 26 being adjusted to the desired position for accomplishing this, then the sizing material is sprayed on to the drapes from the front and the rear. Thereafter, the drapes are retained in this position for a short period of time necessary for the setting of the sizing material. Thereafter the series of tines are swung outwardly; then the drapes are threaded through the loop or loops of suitable hangers, such as coat hangers, the attendant supporting the drape through the hanger or hangers; thereafter the clasps are released whereby the drape can be removed from the apparatus.

From the foregoing it is apparent that by virtue of the present invention, the drapes can be readily positioned in their desired ultimate folds form and readily sized. It is also apparent from the foregoing that the apparatus is simple in construction, inexpensive, and can be manipulated by unskilled labor.

While the form of embodiment herein shown and described constitutes preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms may be adopted falling within the scope of the claims that follow.

Suitable guards 182 are fastened to the main frame. These guards lie alongside the sprockets and chains.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for retaining drapes, or the like, in pleated position for sizing the same, comprising in combination:

(A) a frame including:

(a) two uprights spaced from one another;

(B) a second frame including:

(17) two uprights in guided relationship with the two uprights, respectively, of the first mentioned frame;

(0) said second mentioned frame including a tie member connecting the upper portions of the uprights of the second mentioned frame;

(d) means on the tie member for attaching the pleats of the drape thereto;

(C) means on the first mentioned frame and attached to the second mentioned frame for raising and lowcring the latter;

(D) a third frame interposed between the uprights of the first mentioned frame;

(e) said third frame including a series of pleating tines substantially horizontally spaced from one another;

(7) means for oscillating the tines toward and away from the drape;

(E) and means 011 the first mentioned frame for raising and lowering the third mentioned frame.

2. An apparatus for retaining drapes, or the like, in pleated position for sizing the same, comprising in combination:

(A) a frame including:

(a) two uprights spaced from one another;

(B) a second frame including:

(12) two uprights in guided relationship with the two uprights, respectively, of the first mentioned frame;

(0) said second mentioned frame including a tie member connecting the upper portions of the uprights of the second mentioned frame;

(d) means on the tie member for attaching the pleats of the drape thereto;

(C) means on the first mentioned frame and attached to the second mentioned frame for raising and lowering the latter;

(D) a third frame interposed between the uprights of the first mentioned frame;

(e) said third frame including a front series of pleating tines, and

(f) a rear series of pleating tines;

(g) means for oscillating both series of tines toward and away from the drape;

(E) and means on the first mentioned frame for raising and lowering the third mentioned frame.

3. An apparatus for retaining drapes, or the like, in pleated position for sizing the same, as defined in claim 2, characterized in that the means for oscillating the tines includes:

(h) a horizontally extending front rod, said front series of tines being fastened to said rod;

(i) a horizontally extending rear rod lying parallelly of the front rod, said rear series of tines being fastened to the rear rod;

(1') means on the third mentioned frame for oscillatively supporting said rods;

(k) a lever arm having a portion fastened to the front rod and extending rearwardly;

(l) a lever arm having a portion fastened to the rear rod and extending forwardly;

(m) means interconnecting other portions of said arms for imparting concomitant movement therebetween;

(n) and means for oscillating one of said arms.

.4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3, including (0) means for locking said lever arms in fixed position.

5. An apparatus for retaining drapes, or the like, in pleated position for sizing the same, comprising in combination:

(A) a frame including:

(a) two uprights spaced from one another;

(B) a second frame including:

(b) two uprights in telescopic relationship with the two uprights, respectively, of the first mentioned frame;

(c) said second mentioned frame including a tie member connecting the upper portions of the uprights of the second mentioned frame;

(d) means on the tie member for attaching the pleats of the drape thereto;

(C) means on the first mentioned frame and attached to the second mentioned frame for raising and lowering the latter, said means including:

(e) a cable attached to the uprights of the second mentioned frame;

(7) a winch on the first mentioned frame for the cable,

(3) certain of said uprights each having longitudinally extending grooves for receiving said cable;

(D) a third frame interposed between the uprights of the first mentioned frame;

(h) said third frame including a series of pleating tines substantially horizontally spaced from one another;

(2') means for oscillating the tines toward and away from the drape;

(E) and means on the first mentioned frame for raising and lowering the third mentioned frame.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,391,116 9/21 Huebner 118-500 X 2,849,745 9/ 5 8 Madsen l5268 2,875,971 3/59 Burns.

FOREIGN PATENTS 102,974 5/ 1899 Germany.

RICHARD D. NEVIUS, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR RETAINING DRAPES, OR THE LIKE, IN PLEATED POSITION FOR SIZING THE SAME, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (A) A FRAME INCLUDING: (A) TWO UPRIGHTS SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER; (B) A SECOND FRAME INCLUDING: (B) TWO UPRIGHTS IN GUIDED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TWO UPRIGHTS, RESPECTIVELY, OF THE FIRST MENTIONED FRAME; (C) SAID SECOND MENTIONED FRAME INCLUDING A TIE MEMBER CONNECTING THE UPPER PORTION OF THE UPRIGHTS OF THE SECOND MENTIONED FRAME; (D) MEANS ON THE TIE MEMBER FOR ATTACHING THE PLEATS OF THE DRAPE THERETO; (C) MEANS ON THE FIRST MENTIONED FRAME AND ATTACHED TO THE SECOND MENTIONED FRAME FOR RAISING AND LOWERING THE LATTER; (D) A THIRD FRAME INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE UPRIGHTS OF THE FIRST MENTIONED FRAME; (E) SAID THIRD FRAME INCLUDING A SERIES OF PLEATING TINES SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER; 